didi

Hi everyone,

I use this message board every time I go on vacation and you all haven't been wrong yet.

Now I need help with planning my first trip to Italy. My husband and I most likely going to fly out of Newark Airport in New Jersey. We definitely want to go to Tuscany and possibly stay there for 5 nights but we would also like to see Rome, of course, and either the Amalfi Coast, Positano maybe and also thought about Venice. We are unsure of where to fly into and out of that would be the easiest and as far as getting from one area to another by train or car, etc.
We will most likely have 14-15 days and have been dreaming of going to Italy for years now. We are just trying to decide which areas to visit.

Also, when is the best time to go when there is nice weather and no crowds. We were thinking May or early June, late September or early-mid October.

I'm very overwhelmed with how to get there and how to get around that I have been procrastinating this trip for a long time now. I just want this to be a nice trip and non-stressful.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You!!!

BoulderCO

If you want non-stressful, skip Venice. It is too far away from the other places you want to visit. You could fly to Naples, spend 4 nights in Sorrento or Positano, then go to Rome for 4 nights. Following this you could rent a car and spend a few days in the Tuscan countryside. We like the area around Pienza. Then head for Florence, turn the car in, and spend a few more days there. After that a train back to Rome and fly home from there.

ira

Hi D,

mid-May/mid-June and mid-Sept/mid-Oct are delightful.

With two weeks, I suggest

Fly into Naples, 5 days on the AC
private driver to Naples
Train to Florence - 4 nights
Train to Venice - 3 nights

OR
Fly into Venice - 3 nights
Rent car and drive through Tuscany - 5 nights
Drop car in Florence - 3 nights
Train to Rome
Fly home

OR

Fly into Venice - 3 nights
Train to Florence - 4 nights
Train to Rome
Fly home

Hope this helps

i_am_kane

didi,

Don't you have more flight options if you fly out of JFK, or are you flying Continental Airlines out of EWR?

nytraveler

First - pick a time - I suggest May as having the best weather and the fewest tourists (and so a better chance of discounts).

Second, pick your must do cities: Rome, Florence/Tuscany, Amalfi coast and Venice is kind of a lot for two weeks. I would take out one - but I think you really need to decide that for yourself - based on what YOU must see.

Then pick flights. I also reco going non-stop on the way over - so there's less stress and chance of losing luggage - and making a stop or change on the way back if necessary (you have other clothes at home and won;t be stressed arriving late. etc.)

Once you've done those you can decide on how to travel between places. Most is easy by train as long as you have little luggage - but for Tuscany IMHO you really must rent a car to see much efficiently.

I would fly into rome, then head for the Amalfi coast then north to either Venice or Forence/Tuscany to head home. (I always like flying into a major city - I guess in part because that's where I feel most comfortable - just grab a cab, whip to the hotel and upstairs for a shower and a nap. No dealing with caar rentals or trains or nonsense right off the plane - you get a chance to decompress and relax first.)

Lisa1271

We have always taken Continental out of Newark, its a great, comfortable flight. Only thing, i believe they only travel to Rome or Milan, no Florence or Naples hubs.
Lisa S

MerryTravel

I don't know if you'd want to mess around with a connection, but we flew Continetal from Cleveland to Gatwick (there are also EWR-Gatwick flights), then took a Meridiana flight to Florence. The Florence airport is very small and a 10-minute cab ride into the city, and we liked Meridiana, who are a Continental partner. I also don't mind having connections at Gatwick since the shopping is so good (got to burn those leftover Euro!).

mamc

Whatever you decide, explore an open jaw flight - fly into your first city and leave from your last city to avoid backtracking. For a first trip to Italy, I like Ira's suggestion - fly into Venice, visit Florence and the Tuscan countryside and end in Rome.

didi

Great suggestions! We don't mind taking a flight out of JFK if needed but thought we could use our frequent flyer miles on Continental. Maybe we could take Continental one way at least.

Well I am thinking of planning for May/June timeframe so it will give me more time to figure out what we are doing and get decent flights.

Okay, for my next question. Since we have never been to Italy I am only relying on what I hear from others and some people do not like Venice. I'd like to hear your opinions on Venice and the Almalfi coast. We know for sure we want to stay in Tuscany and people tell us you can't go to Italy without visiting Rome.

We are thinking of staying in one of the villas or apartments in Tuscany for about 4-5 nights since some do require a minimum stay. We are definitely going to rent a car for that.

I'm feeling a little less confused right now thanks to all of you. I love to travel but for some reason planning this trip is scaring me.

rkkwan

If you're going to use FF miles to get there, then you can't be that specific. You call CO Onepass and tell them you want to go to Italy - whatever airport, whichever way to get tehre - on the dates you want. Maybe it's CO non-stop, maybe DL from JFK, maybe connection via AMS or CDG. Hopefully you'll get something on your dates.

THEN, you can start thinking about itinerary and hotels.

yn10

We did a similar trip to Italy about 2 years ago - flew from Newark to Milan (via AirItalia - avoid by all means!!!!), spent 2 days in Milan, took a train to Venice - spent a few days there, trained to Florence. After a few days in Florence, rented a car and drove through Tuscany to Rome. We stopped overnight in Sienna and Montepulciano. Once we got to Rome, spent a few days there, and even went for a day to Capri . It seemed like a very full vacation, but for us it was just enough time to see and to do what we've planned.

Mimar

I too like flying into Venice, out of Rome. Venice is a good place to recover from jet lag (probably not so intense flying from the east coast). To my mind, the main sightseeing destination in Venice is just Venice, best seen by wandering around. Unless you're huge fans of Renaissance art, I would consider not staying in Florence, just making a day trip in (by bus or train) from wherever you're based in Tuscany.

I would save Positano and the Amalfi Coast for another trip. There's so much to see around there: Capri, Pompeii, Paestum, etc. Much as I like this area, Venice/Tuscany/Rome are more important.

travelphile

I'm flying Continental through EWR next month - into Zurich out of Milan - that's a thought you might want to consider to use your Continental miles. The flight into Zurich was cheaper than even doing Mxp-Mxp. We're spending 2 days in Lucerne then taking what is called the 'best train ride in the world' down to Italy.

As for Venice - there can not be a better place on earth - I've only spent three days there, but am headed back again next month. The Almafi coast just hasn't caught my interest yet, so my vote is undoubtedly for Venezia!

Frankval

It's funny, when I seen this Newark Airport, it caught my eye..
We are leaving next Friday for almost the same trip. We are taking Continental (first class, w/ one pass points) flying into Rome, stay for 4 days w/ Marriott points. Then with the SAME onepass on Altailia flying to Venice,3 nights, renting a car and driving to Tuscany for 2 nights.
Then to see family near Campobasso, going back to Rome Airport to drop off car and take train to Naples and have driver pick us up to take us to the Hotel in Positano for 3 nights. And then back to airport in Rome and home to New Jersey.
If you need any other info just ask ..I'll help as much as I can.. BUT the people on here are the greatest help... Also found a lot of help for Hotels on Trip Advisor.com

suze

didi, i will chime in since i happen to absolutely ADORE Venice. i find it amazing and magical. it's the only place in Italy i have been but i've been there twice and would return in a heartbeat! it is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

suze

<and people tell us you can't go to Italy without visiting Rome>

i'm here to say, oh yes you can ;-)

owlwoman

Our first trip to Italy, 17 days, flew into Milan for two nights, picked up car, drove to Bellagio, 1 night, Sirmione - 1 night- Venice - 3nights, Florence - 2 nights, Tuscany (1 night in Radda in Chianti, 1 night in San Girmiano), Positano - 2 nights, then Rome (dropped off car) -3 nights and home. It was a perfect trip and we got a real good taste of Italy. Have been back twice since then. I, too, think Venice is magical and should defiitely be seen. If you want to rent a Villa in Tuscany, skip staying in Florence and do day trips. It's not far and easy to do. If you do not want to fly, then fly into Milan - take train to Venice, then train to Florence, p/u car to do Tuscany, then train/drive to Positano (it's not that bad), end in Rome for a few days and hom. I think you have time to see it all!

didi

I agree with 'rkkwan' that we should check what flights are available first. However, even if they don't have anything available we are going even if its not on Continental but it would be nice if we could use some FF miles.

Does anyone know how long of a train ride it is from Milan to Venice and how long of a drive it would be from Venice to Florence? Also, is there any kind of limits on luggage on the train?
Also should we drop off the car in Florence and take a train to Rome or just drive to Rome and drop off the car there?

I think we are getting closer to finally making a decision!

dwzemens

Venice is unique. I would not miss it.

i_am_kane

Train time:

Milan to Venice just short of 3 hours
Venice to Florence about 2 1/2 hours